The council votes

Friday

Good Samaritans and critics of overstocked driveways had a rough go at last week’s council meeting, but anyone seeking to get a drink an hour earlier on Sundays has at least a fighting chance.

An attempt to amend the rules for Sandy Neck Beach to allow “Good Samaritan” volunteers with big rigs but no off-road permits to be escorted out to rescue stuck vehicles was defeated. Councilor John Norman proposed the change as a way to help people avoid heavy charges for towing. Park Manager Nina Coleman said permitted motorists often help each other now. Council VP Jim Crocker sponsored a vehicle storage amendment that would have limited property owners to keeping no more than one unregistered motor vehicle or trailer outside a garage on their premises. Other restrictions would have applied to outdoor storage of boats, trailers, and RVs, as well as containers. Crocker said the changes would allow the town to pursue a non-criminal complaint against the owner – basically sending a warning letter – that could lead to a less costly resolution of neighborhood disputes. Councilors such as Janet Joakim of Centerville, citing smaller lot sizes in her precinct, said the amendment would result in “creating more of a hassle for people.” The proposed change was defeated, 4 in favor to 7 opposed. That was the same vote, but reversed, when the council reviewed the licensing authority’s recommendation to let the authority decide whether serving venues could offer alcohol an hour earlier, at 10 a.m., on Mondays.